Researcher: Mahtaab Hayat is a lecturer and researcher at Wits University. Her research focuses on breast cancer genetics, specifically in South African populations. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58789-0 18 June 2026 What Is The Study About? What if you could predict how likely someone was to develop breast cancer? Not just someone with a history of breast cancer in the family - anybody. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women, globally. We know br

Breast cancer screening is a proactive, life-saving measure designed to detect abnormal cell growth, tumors, or changes in breast tissue in apparently healthy women. Early detection is extremely effective. South Africa lacks a fully integrated, state-funded national mammography screening framework. This creates stark divides in adherence statistics between private health sectors and rural public sectors. Statistics - Localised metropolitan peer-research published by the Healt

Women generally live longer than men, a pattern supported by extensive scientific evidence across global populations. This longevity advantage for women is observed worldwide and has deep evolutionary roots. Global 2023–2025 data: • Average global life expectancy for females 76–76.4 years. • In many high-income countries, the gap is about 5–6 years, with the gap widening in places due to preventable causes. Key Scientific Reasons for Women’s Longevity Advantage: 1. Women have